Tom LaForce

Listen up everybody.

Some baseball players are great hitters. Others are excellent fielders. Unless you are both (or a pitcher), you are not likely to play professional baseball.

As in baseball, communication involves two major skills. Sending messages through speech and written word (hitting), and receiving messages through listening (fielding).

While speaking and writing get more attention, it would serve people well to focus more energy on their listening skills. Here’s why.

If a speaker with poor communication skills is talking with a great listener, chances are the message will still be conveyed as intended. Why? Because the listener will make sure she understands.

If there is an excellent speaker talking to someone with poor listening skills, the message most likely will not make it through. Of the two skills, listening has more impact on communication success than speaking.

So what makes a good listener? It certainly goes beyond one’s auditory acuity. Listening is an active process. It takes energy and concentration. Think about how you listen to others. How often do you…

• Maintain eye contact to demonstrate interest?
• Ask questions when you aren’t sure you’ve understood?
• Summarize what you’ve heard to confirm your understanding?
• Nod and use gestures to encourage the other person to keep talking?
• Check out hunches about what isn’t being said but might be intended?
• Watch the speaker’s body language and listen for the tone to gain a deeper understanding?
• Clear your mind of distractions and biases that may get in the way of listening?

Listening skills are essential for anyone wanting to be an excellent communicator. If your listening abilities are not at the big league level yet, they could be. It just takes some practice.